Raccoon dens
Raccoon dens above the damper are cleared out along with the droppings they leave.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimney Animal Removal Delmont, PA
A Delmont chimney sweep can get wildlife out of the flue and install a cap so they cannot get back in. Dial (724) 412-9258 to be connected with a nearby chimney sweep.
An open chimney looks like a hollow tree to a lot of animals. Raccoons often use the smoke shelf as a nursery, birds nest inside the flue and squirrels fall in and get trapped. They leave nests that can block smoke and catch fire, droppings that smell and parasites that can spread.
Lighting a fire to drive an animal out is a bad idea. Young animals that cannot climb will be hurt, the nest can catch fire, and a blocked flue can push smoke and carbon monoxide into the house. Close the damper and glass doors if you have them, and keep children and pets away until the animal is out.
Not every animal can be removed the same way or at any time. Chimney swifts are protected under federal law as migratory birds, so an active nest stays until the birds leave for the season. Rules on trapping and relocating wildlife vary by state, so the method follows what is allowed in Pennsylvania. Every removal should end with a cap on the flue.
Chimney Animal Removal is often paired with chimney cap installation and chimney cleaning, depending on the cause.
Dealing with this in Delmont, PA right now? Call (724) 412-9258 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
The chimney animal removal process
Here is how a sweep typically handles an animal in the chimney.
Figure out what it is
The noises, smell and debris point to the type of animal and whether young are involved.
Set the approach
The method and timing are chosen to follow wildlife rules and protect any young before any work begins.
Humane removal
The animal is removed using the method suited to it without harming them.
Clear the nest
Nesting material is pulled out, since it can block the flue and catch fire and the area is cleaned up.
Deodorize
The smoke shelf and firebox are cleaned and treated for odor since droppings can carry disease.
Cap the chimney
A cap that covers the flue and blocks wildlife is fitted so the problem does not repeat next season.
What is included
What chimney animal removal covers
Bat exclusion
Bats are excluded rather than trapped because they are protected in many places.
Small animals
Trapped squirrels and other small animals are removed and the entry point is closed.
Bird nests
Nests on the smoke shelf, damper or in the flue are cleared and the flue is capped afterward.
Dead animal removal
When an animal dies in the flue, it is taken out and the smoke shelf cleaned so the odor fades.
Related service
Bird Nest Removal Delmont, PA
Birds like starlings and chimney swifts are drawn to open flues for nesting. The sticks and grass in a nest can block the flue and ignite when a fire is lit. In furnace or water heater flues, a nest can cause carbon monoxide to spill indoors, so working CO alarms matter.
Chimney swifts are protected under federal law, which means an active nest stays until the birds migrate in the fall. A Delmont sweep can tell you when removal is allowed, then clear the nest and cap the chimney. Other species can often be handled sooner, depending on the bird and the rules that apply.
Related service
Raccoon Removal Delmont, PA
In spring, a female raccoon looking for a safe den often climbs into an uncapped chimney to have her young on the smoke shelf. The signs are chattering and whimpering from the young and the mother leaving at dusk and returning before dawn. Raccoons can carry disease, and their droppings can hold roundworm eggs, so leave removal to someone equipped for it.
The young are often removed first so the mother can relocate them, and the chimney is checked empty before it is sealed. Wildlife rules in Pennsylvania can limit trapping and relocation, which shapes how the removal is done. With the den cleared, the smoke shelf is sanitized and a heavy-duty cap goes on, because raccoons can pull off weak ones.
Local help
Chimney Animal Removal Near Me
Chimneys in Delmont see the most animal activity in spring and early summer, when birds nest and raccoons raise their young. From Delmont out to places like Murrysville, Jeannette, Penn and Manor, older chimneys without caps are the easiest targets for birds and raccoons. A cap with a mesh screen is the simplest fix, and trimming branches back from the roof helps too.
Searching for chimney animal removal near me from Delmont or Murrysville, Jeannette, Penn and Manor? Call (724) 412-9258 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
What the local climate does to a chimney
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. Most homeowners in Delmont, PA schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why not wait
Safer fires
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Sweeps who know Delmont
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Delmont and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Animal Removal questions
How do I keep animals out of my chimney?
A chimney cap with a mesh screen is the most effective way to keep animals out. It should be fastened well enough that a raccoon cannot pull it off, with mesh small enough to stop birds without clogging with creosote. Trimming tree limbs away from the roof also helps.
Can chimney swifts be removed from my chimney?
Chimney swifts are protected under federal law, and their nests cannot be removed while they are in use. The sweep can tell you when it is allowed, then clean out the nest and add a cap. Until then, keep the damper closed and do not use the fireplace.
How do I get rid of a dead animal smell in my chimney?
A sour, rotten odor from the fireplace points to a dead animal in the chimney. Air fresheners will not help, since the animal and debris have to come out. Close the damper until it is removed.
Why are animals in the chimney a problem?
An animal in the flue is more than a nuisance. Nesting material can ignite or block smoke, and droppings and parasites are a health concern. A blocked flue on a furnace or water heater can also send carbon monoxide into the house, so keep CO alarms working.
Can I light a fire to get an animal out of my chimney?
Smoke is not a safe way to get an animal out of a chimney. Young animals cannot climb out and will be hurt, the nest can ignite, and a blocked flue can send smoke and carbon monoxide into the house. Close the damper, keep pets away and have the animal removed safely.
More questions? Call (724) 412-9258
Often needed together
Chimney Cap Installation
Putting a sturdy cap on top of the chimney to keep out rain, animals, leaves and stray sparks.
Learn moreChimney Cleaning
Brushing and vacuuming the buildup from fireplace and stove chimneys of every kind, with the damper, smoke shelf and cap checked along the way.
Learn moreChimney Odor Removal
Tracking down the creosote, moisture or animal behind a smelly fireplace whether the smell shows up in summer heat or after rain.
Learn moreChimney Damper Repair
Restoring the damper that opens and closes the flue or replacing them with a top sealing damper.
Learn more
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